Stress and Stressors

Stress as an example of a psychobiological process

stress

a subjective experience that depends on personal interpretation of a stressor

stressor

any person, event or stimulation that produces stress

acute stress

challenging situations that trigger immediate response, usually short-lived as they are quickly resolved

chronic stress

ongoing situations that lead to prolonged levels of psychological arousal

responses

physiological or psychological changes that people experience when confronted with a stressor

physiological responses to stress

• increased breathing / heart rate

• dilation of blood vessels

• blood glucose levels increase

psychological responses to stress

• changes in thinking, reasoning, memory

• irritability

• anxious feelings

eustress

positive psychological response to stressors, indicated by presence of a postitive psychological state where an individual feels happy, enthusiastic and alert

eustress is

• percieved as challenging

• typically short-term

• can provide energy and motivation needed to achieve an objective/ peak performance

eutress examples

• particiapting in an athletic event

• giving a speech

• travel- planning/ going to airport

• major life changes that a person desires eg. getting married, having a baby, moving house

distress

negative psychological response to a stressor, indicated by the presence of a negative psychological state eg. feeling angry, anxious, nervous, irritable or tense

distress is

• percieved to be threatening or harmful

• can be short- term or long-term (if not managed/ addressed)

• prolonged distress can have serious and debilitated consequences on physical/ mental health

examples of distress

• diagnosis of a terminal illness

• death of a loved one

• losing a job

• serious injury

• feeling burnt out

sources of stressors

• daily pressures

• life events

• acculturative stress

• major stressors

daily pressures

aka hassles/ irritants

sourced in relatively minor troubles or concerns from everyday life that may not seem like much when analysed individually

examples of daily pressures

• school/ work workload

• conflict with loved ones

• social obligations

• insecurities

life events

a stressor that involves an individual adapting to change/ new circumstances these events typically have immediate consequences and require long term adjustments - significant to the individual and cause significant stress

life events example

• having a baby

• being diagnosed

• getting married

• moving house

acculturative stress

experienced in trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it for a considerable amount of time, either willingly or through force

examples of acculturative stress

• immigrating

• student exchange

• work

• travel

major stressors

an evetn that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it

often described as psychologically disturbing

examples of major stressors

• acts of violence

• motor/ workplace accidents

• being mugges/ threatened

internal stressors

causes of stress that originate from within an individual, can be both psychological and biological

examples of internal stresors

• physical pain

• high expectations

external stressors

sources of stress that originate outside an individual

examples of external stressors

• loud noises

• life events

• loss of significant realtionships

• environmental catastrophes

acute stress

occurs due to sudden threat that only ocurs for a short period of time - can be benficial, can help us to deal more effectively with a challenge

acute stress examples

• sitting an exam

• starting a new job

• public speaking

• being faced with work deadlines

chronic stress

involves prolonged and constant feelings of stress, worse for body

effects of chronic stress on the body

• supress immune system

• upset digestive and reproductive systems

• increase the risk of heart attack or stroke

chronic stress can result from

• social isolation and lonliness

• relationship problems

• bullying or living in an unsafe environment such as a war zone